SHADYSIDE — Plans are continuing to come together for the all-class reunion of Shadyside football alumni to help celebrate the school’s 100th season of football.

Though it’s a season-long celebration, which started with an opening-night victory against Martins Ferry, the reunion and post-game gathering will highlight the festivities and those events are slated for Friday, Oct. 4 when rival River visits.

As of late August, more than 70 former Tiger gridders had already registered to return.

The evening’s events will begin with a pre-game tailgate party sponsored by the Shadyside Boosters. It will run from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

All returning players, who have registered, should enter Fleming Field through the pass gate. At that point, they will be admitted to the contest and be directed to a separate area to pick up their souvenir t-shirt.

From 6:20 p.m. until 6:40 p.m., the fieldhouse will be open for returning players to tour the facility and look at pictures and memorabilia on display inside.

Shortly after that, the alumni will be asked to head onto Fleming Field where they will help form a spirit tunnel for the current players to run through just before kickoff.

Superintendent of schools John Haswell, who is one of the organizers of the events, formally announced that Hank Kapolka, who is believed to be the oldest living Tiger football alumni, will serve as the honorary captain for that game.

Kapolka graduated from Shadyside in 1944.

After the game, all of the football alumni are welcome to attend a post-game social, which will be held at the Mead Township Park, which is the site of the Shadyside youth baseball and softball fields. Pizza and beverages will be available.

Former players returning are being asked to pay $20, which covers a commemorative t-shirt, which will be available to former players only, and admission to the game.

Doug Campbell is handling the RSVPs and providing more detailed information. He can be reached at 740-359-2104 or via email at pdcampbell1@comcast.net.

“The money that this generates will go to our booster’s club to help our future student-athletes at Shadyside High School,” Haswell said.

Time is running thin to register and be guaranteed a shirt. A deadline of Sept. 25 has been set for alumni to let Campbell know that they’re planning to return.

On top of getting a win, which was the 570th in school history against the Purple Riders, Shadyside began the process of honoring its past.

Bob Bittengle was the honorary captain. He represented the 1954 team, which was the first undefeated and untied team in school history. It was also the second OVAC championship squad.

Other OVAC championship squads that will be honored throughout the course of the home schedule are the 1989 and 2014 teams, which are celebrating 30 and five-year anniversaries.

Shadyside also recognized its long-time chain crew for its work during last week’s win. The crew comprised of Eddie Garczyk, Tom Lowe, Bob Powell, Jimbo Kapolka and Russ Naomi.